The Triple Crown grind goes against Jason Servis' preference for giving his horses ample recovery time, and even though he's running the Withers (gr. III) winner in the Gotham, a Kentucky Derby (gr. I) run is no sure thing.

Though Uncle Sigh didn't win at Saratoga Aug. 16, trainer Gary Contessa was satisfied with the effort put forth by the 4-year-old colt who last raced in the 2014 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum Brands (gr. I).

Twice grade III-placed Uncle Sigh breezed four furlongs in :49.54 on the Oklahoma training track Tuesday, July 21, at Saratoga Race Course as the son of Indian Charlie prepares for his first start in more than a year.

The veteran reinsman has already developed a great rapport with the Florida-bred son of Scat Daddy, who is pointing for the March 7 Gotham (gr. II) and has become very special at this point in Lopez's career.

Multiple graded stakes winner El Kabeir, most recently second in the Withers (gr. II), had his final serious work March 1 at Belmont Park for the $400,000 Gotham (gr. III) March 7 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

A runner-up in his past two starts, New York-based Dads Caps will try to secure his first win since taking the Carter Handicap (gr. I) in April when the 4-year-old Discreet Cat colt starts in the De Francis Dash.

Todd Pletcher recorded his 1,000th career stakes winner when Protonico surged late under Joe Bravo to take the $300,000 Smarty Jones Stakes (gr. III) at Parx Racing on the Labor Day Pennsylvania card Sept. 1.

Ring Weekend, coming off a fifth in the Preakness, and Uncle Sigh, 14th in the Kentucky Derby, head a field of seven sophomores slated for the Pegasus Stakes June 15 at Monmouth Park that also marks the return of Albano.